Research: Biodegradability carrier bags in aquatic environments

There has been debate on whether ‘biodegradable' materials should be granted exemptions from plastic bag bans and levies. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh UK reviewed existing industry standards and test methods for evaluating the biodegradability of plastics within aquatic environments (wastewater, unmanaged freshwater and marine habitats).
They argue that current standards and test methods are insufficient in their ability to predict the biodegradability of carrier bags in these environments, due to several shortcomings in experimental procedures and a paucity of information in the scientific literature. An article about the research is published in Royal Society Open Science.
Click here for the published article (579 kB).
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